CSTO to deploy peacekeepers to Kazakhstan

The Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan, Council Chairman and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on Thursday.

"Based on the request by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and in view of the threat to the national security and the sovereignty of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including external intervention, the CSTO Collective Security Council, in accordance with Article 4 of the Collective Security Treaty, has decided to deploy CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces to Kazakhstan," Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook page.

Authorities in Kazakhstan declared a nationwide state of emergency on Wednesday, promising a tough crackdown as mass unrest plunges the country into chaos.